Dorce Gamalama Buried as a Man, Complete Story about the Beginning of Gender Reassignment Surgery - Previously Married to a Man at the Age of 23

Kapanlagi.com - Dorce Gamalama is one of the most popular transgender figures in Indonesia, her career in the entertainment industry of the country is unquestionable. Named Dedi Yuliardi, Dorce passed away today, Wednesday (16/2/2022) at 08.00 AM WIB at RSPP Simprug at the age of 58 with a Covid diagnosis.

KapanLagi.com had directly interviewed the late Dorce about her life as a transgender person. Dorce, who was affectionately called Bunda by her artist friends and children, shared the story of how she decided to undergo gender reassignment surgery, the legal process in the eyes of the country, and her personal life, including her marriage to a cisgender man and her desire to be buried as a woman.

1. When to Decide to Change Gender

Dorce Gamalama credit: istimewa

Dorce, at the age of 7, felt something different where her feelings were softer and more feminine compared to boys her age. At the age of 10, when she performed as a grandmother that required her to wear a skirt, she felt happy.

At the age of 15, Dorce experienced her first love. She fell in love with a man from Padang who lived in Jakarta. She had to work hard to support herself since childhood, and at the age of 23, she managed to gather enough money for gender reassignment surgery. After a long process of research and others, she was handled by Prof. Dr. Johan Marzuki, a plastic surgeon at Soetomo Hospital, Surabaya.

2. Valid as a Woman

Dorce is officially a woman Credit: Book 'Aku Perempuan'

Dorce decided to undergo gender reassignment surgery in 1986. The surgery process took four hours. Successful with her operation, Dorce, who was 23 years old at that time, still had to take care of her new identity.

Only in 1988 did all the documents stating that the name Dedi Yuliardi had changed to Dorce Ashadi.

3. Her Struggle to Go Public About Being Transsexual

Dorce Gamalama credit: special

When revealing to the public that she is a transsexual, it was not immediately accepted easily. At that time, many questioned the morals and ethics of Dorce regarding her decision to undergo gender reassignment surgery.

Dorce remains a devout Muslim and obtained the title of Hajjah in 1990 after performing the Hajj pilgrimage. Dorce, who is a parent to 600 orphans, admitted that it doesn't matter if the children don't call her 'mother'.

"Is she ashamed to have a mother like us? Well, we become fathers, it's easy. I'm a simple person, if you want to call me father, it's fine, father Dorce, uncle Dorce, mother Dorce. Sorry, I never tell people to call me mother, whether they call me something else, it doesn't matter, what does a name mean?" said Dorce in an exclusive interview with Kapanlagi.com in 2018.

4. Getting Married at the Age of 23

Dorce Gamalama Credit: KapanLagi - Budy Santoso

After becoming a transsexual, Dorce was once married to a man. She shared this in her book titled, Aku Perempuan (I am a Woman). The marriage lasted for two years before ending. After the separation, Dorce also had close relationships with several other men.

This consistent figure who wears a headscarf briefly mentioned her relationships with some men she once loved. However, Dorce chose not to disclose their identities.

"There are four men whom I loved. I'll just use initials, I don't want to mention their full names, they might already be happy with their respective partners. The first one just became a grandparent. Congratulations, B! Then the second one, his name is D. Congratulations, D. The third one is A, I don't know if he's married or not. Then the fourth one, I don't want to talk about him because he's different from these three, but this is my life journey. I am grateful to those who have been a part of my life's journey," shared Dorce, who admitted that she doesn't hold grudges against these men, in an exclusive interview with Kapanlagi.com in 2018.

5. Only Surgery to Become a Woman

Dorce Gamalama Credit: KapanLagi - Budy Santoso

In her conversation, Dorce Gamalama explained that she only underwent surgery to change herself into a woman. She also explained that her decision to wear a hijab is a form of gratitude to God.

"Regarding surgery, honestly, I haven't had any other surgery except for my needs as a woman. My original face, original nose, original eyes, no Adam's apple, smooth legs, I don't show them because of modesty, so I will be grateful because Allah has bestowed blessings upon me. Let this be my responsibility to Allah, how I want to die, surely I want to die with a good ending. I often ask Ustaz Abdul Somad, he is even my soulmate. I am not fanatic, this is my daily attire, if someone pays me, I have to look beautiful," she explained at that time.

6. Want to be Buried as a Woman

Dorce Gamalama credit: special

Recently, the public has been discussing Dorce Gamalama's desire to be buried as a woman. Many disagree because they know that the person often called Bunda was born as a man. This, of course, has sparked controversy among various groups.

7. Has Given a Will

Dorce Gamalama Credit: KapanLagi

The late Dorce seemed to know that he would soon pass away. In an interview with Denny Sumargo, he admitted to having prepared a shroud. He also mentioned that he already has a grave near the mosque he built.

Meanwhile, in his video with Sule, Dorce even told his adopted children that his life may not be long. "I also told the children. I said, 'Don't hurt Mamak because Mamak's life isn't long,'" he concluded.

8. Buried as a Man

Dorce Gamalama Credit: KapanLagi - Budy Santoso

Before the burial process, the family had discussed and finally Dorce was buried as a man. Before the burial, Anan Muhajir at Al Hayyu Mosque, Lubang Buaya, said that Dorce was prayed for at the mosque. The mosque that Dorce built since 2008.

"So that Dorce's mother is happy to be prayed for at the mosque she built since 2008," he said.

"Being buried as a woman, we leave it all to Allah. That's just her wish, and it's our responsibility to take care of it. We all know how she was born, so we return her to her original state. Because what matters is her faith in Allah SWT, I don't see anything else first," said Anan.

9. Farewell Dorce Gamalama

Infographic of Dorce Gamalama's life journey credit: KapanLagi.com

KapanLagi.com expresses condolences for the passing of Dorce Gamalama. May she rest in peace and may all her good deeds be accepted.

(kpl/jje)